The Moab Pastel Guild is exhibiting original artwork at the Bighorn Gallery at Dead Horse Point State Park through February 1 with a new show entitled “Melodic Lines.” The Guild is a group of like-minded local artists who meet regularly to paint, offer mutual support, inspire one another, and critique each others’ work.

The group has been working together for several years, enthusiastically embracing opportunities to learn and experiment with different techniques and approaches to composition. All share a deep love of the surrounding landscape and its ever-changing light, moods, and colors. Over time, each member has developed a unique personal vision and style. Several have received awards for art entered in shows in Utah and Colorado. The artists all initially focused on honing their skills with pastel, but now some are expanding their repertoire by working in watercolor and oils as well.

Pastel is often mistakenly confused with chalk. It is quite different. Pastel is pure pigment mixed with just enough binder to hold it together in stick form. The purity of the pigments lets their brilliance glow. Pastel is a very vibrant and versatile medium that mixes well with other mediums. Some artists use only dry pastel on paper. Others apply it over underpaintings rendered in watercolor, acrylic, or pastel dissolved in turpenoid or alcohol on heavier, textured surfaces. The resulting works are varied, ranging from detailed realism and more loosely rendered impressionism to abstraction.

Subject matter includes our beloved local landscape, as well as animals, flowers, and more distant landscapes which have inspired the artists. Works on display will include both paintings created in the studio and en plein air. During the exhibition the original paintings will be available for purchase, as well as prints and note cards.

Dead Horse Point is located nine miles north of Moab on US 191, and 23 miles south on SR313. The visitor center is open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day . Park admission is $10 per vehicle for three days. For more information, please contact the park at (435)259-2614. Please be sure to mention that you read about this exhibit in the Moab Happenings.